Best Toilets of 2018 – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

By: Mark Steve | Last Updated: September 9, 2018

I’ve brought an endless list of the best toilets to just 10 - they’re the top ones on the market right now. And since you’re here, I’m pretty sure that my reviews can help and you won’t even notice that your search has already begun.

Let’s give it a shot, shall we?

Top 10 Toilets of 2018 - Reviews & Ratings

If you're in a hurry, take a quick look at our comparison chart and decide for yourself.

Fits perfectly into the framework of the best overall pick. Toto’s quality couldn’t have got any better than the Eco Soiree.

Don’t get me wrong if I say that perhaps you should give some thoughts to peeing in style. Not all toilets but TOTO Eco Soiree offer you that, and more, at a seemingly reasonable price.

Apart from the stylish, posh look of Eco Soiree, I find many reasons to rate it as my top pick - hands down.

For instance, Toto has gone to great lengths to provide a powerful, cyclonic flush while saving water. At 1.28 gallons of water per flush, it is definitely one of the most efficient toilets out there. Chances are, you won’t even have to stick to the ‘if it’s yellow let it mellow’ mantra.

There’s also the SoftClose comfy toilet seat and the ADA compliance to consider. The size is just right as well at 28.1x14x27.8 inches. The bowl, with the seat, rises up to 17 and a 1/2 inches - which is tall enough to accommodate even the tallest of you.

If you’re overweight and worried about crashing a toilet, you can rest assured that it won’t happen with Toto MS964214. It’s durable, long-lasting and certainly the best one piece toilet available on the market today.

When I say that Toto is one of the leading brands in the toilet industry, I’m not wrong.

I’ll use Ultramax ll to prove my point further.

While there’s so much to love about this particular Dual Flush toilet, its efficiency is a must-mentionable. It saves a lot of water by using only 1.28 gallons every time you flush. And since it’s a dual flush toilet, you’ll be leaving nothing behind - even the solid waste that sometimes gets stubborn.

Another reason why I considered Ultramax II over other dual flush toilets is that it would accommodate anyone - big or small.

It’s strong and won’t break unless you plan to throw a rock at it. And the ADA standard height of 17 1/4 inches along with the elongated bowl provide ample space to place your legs comfortably.

Among all the Round Bowl toilets I came across, the Toto MS853113S was an eye catcher from the beginning- not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

The most attractive feature, however, is its power.

It’s capable of flushing down the toilet to rid itself from all the contents with only a single swift flush, which also happens to be surprisingly quiet. After all, you wouldn’t want to wake the entire house up in the middle of the night when you move your bowels.

Of course, spending a little fortune on a toilet that’s only powerful isn’t enough. That’s why the Ultramax has many features that you can count on. The height, for once, is above 14 inches. Though compact, it would be convenient to accommodate most of you with an average height.

On top of that, you even get the Toto patented SoftClose seat for added convenience and a long life to keep. Maintenance is easy as well, with no-leaks whatsoever. To be honest, I found hardly anything to complain about this Toto’s Ultramax toilet with the round bowel.

While I personally believe that a one piece toilet is hassle-free when compared to a two piece toilet, I hold nothing against your choice of a two piece toilet. That’s why I did my research and came up with Toto’s Drake toilet.

This is personally my favorite two-piece toilet and it has everything I’ll want in my washroom - from the good looks to efficiency and convenience.​

Besides having a powerful flush which is a necessity when it comes to toilets, Drake has many added features that increase the value of your money.

For example, the SanaGloss surface can be taken. Though there won’t be anything much left for cleaning once a single flush takes down nearly 1000 grams of solid waste, the SanaGloss surface makes cleaning even more easier. You will only need to do it occasionally and that too, with minimum effort.

In addition to that, the standard height of about 16 inches makes the toilet convenient to sit on. It doesn’t leak, nor clog up under ordinary use. What’s more, it even has the Toto’s legendary SoftClose seat!

​You even have plenty of colors to choose from, so if you be careful, you won’t end up ruining your deco. However, no matter what, the value of a toilet always weighs down to the power of its flush. And the good news is that it can handle all types of stools, even if they happen to be the largest.

Though American Standard 2889.216 comes in two pieces, the compact design would be the perfect fit for smaller bathrooms. So if you’re living in an apartment where every bit of space matters, then here’s your buy.

However, smaller doesn’t mean any less powerful. And that’s what makes it one of the best buys. You get both a ‘light’ and a ‘heavy’ flush to choose from and that can save heaps of water. Before I forget, let me also mention that it comes with the WaterSense approval.

In the meantime, you can cut your costs on installation as well. It’s actually pretty much easier than the American Standard 2889.216’s competitive brands and you might as well end up doing it on your own.

And let’s face it - maintaining a toilet isn’t easy - or that’s how it was in your grandma’s time. But not anymore. With the American Standard 2889.216’s EverClean surface, you only need a little bit of scrubbing to do and that too, not often.

The American Standard 2889.216.021 also comes with a 5-year warranty and it’s one of the best you can expect from a toilet brand. When I took everything into account, you see, I just had to mention this in my list.

I get super excited when I get to talk about a toilet - yes a toilet - I love.

My definition for cheap is American Standard 2886.216. At least, I won’t call it expensive because of what you get to save in the long run with your water bills, and perhaps on tax rebates as well.

The most important point is its powerful flush. Actually, it has two choices for flushing - the ‘light’ and ‘heavy’. If you use them accordingly, then you save water.

My most favourite part, however, is the comfort it offers. While you may not sit on your toilet for long, you do sit on it and for many times a day to answer the call of nature.

Whether you have a difficulty with your knees, or your legs, American Standard 2886.216 toilet will be more than happy to accommodate you with its height that reaches up to 16.5.

The Good

Dual flush system to save water

Easy installation

Long life

A limited warranty of 5 years

EverClean surface

The Bad

A seat should be purchased separately

Cleaning is easier as well because the EverClean surface is anything but inviting for the growth of slime and mold. Even the price is exceptional when compared to all the features the American Standard ﻿﻿2886.216.02﻿﻿0 offers. The customer ratings are also very positive so you’ve got hardly anything to worry about this particular toilet.

There’s more to this toilet, like the height for example. It meets the standards set by ADA and won’t hurt your legs or knees. And the EverClean surface helps a lot in maintaining the toilet clean and glossy.

​

So if you can buy yourself a separate toilet seat, then you’ll probably have no trouble for years of use. Better still, you can buy both at Amazon.

TOTO CST743S-01 Drake would make the ideal two-piece buy if you aren’t willing to spend a fortune to empty your bowels.

To be downright honest, it doesn’t boast many features - instead, it does a perfect job of what is expected from a toilet.

The flushing, for instance, is splendid. It won’t leave anything behind in one-shot and the noise isn’t as loud as many older models.

Even the dimensions, along with the SoftClose seat, promise comfort. You don’t have to bend too much, or feel like sitting on a stage - regardless of your height.

Other important points, like the installation, could be done easily ; perhaps on your own if you follow the instructions clearly. This way, even the cost of hiring a professional could be saved. Customer ratings are also pretty high, and some can’t praise it enough. However, there’s one thing we all agree on - the price doesn’t always define a nice design.

With the height of an average chair, KOHLER Cimarron gives you the assurance of utmost comfort.

While the WaterSense approval ensures that water is saved every time you flush it, the AquaPiston flush engine sprays water via 360 degrees and completes the flush.

On top of everything, the modern, sleek beauty completes your purchase and would make your bathroom look close to the 21st century.

In fact, KOHLER has the best designer toilet collections and this toilet proves my point.

How to Choose the Best Toilet - The Complete Buying Guide

Buying a toilet may seem easy - until you’re actually on the market to buy one.

For instance, there’s a lot of information to consider. Not knowing them might even lead you towards investing on the wrong toilet. And the right toilet to your neighbour might not be the one for you - that’s because personal preferences differ and they differ drastically. So it’s very important to understand your own tastes before you buy.

In my guide, I’ve brought up some of the key points that any buyer in the toilet market should know. Scroll down and sneak a peek. They’ll clearly brief you well.​

One Piece v/s Two Piece Toilets​

In my estimation, a one piece toilet is better than a two piece toilet. There are many reasons that I took into consideration, like the installation. A two piece toilet needs more hardware for installation, and the cost of a plumber could be more expensive than the initial cost of buying a one piece.

The chances of leaks are also at minimum in a one piece toilet. However, if you’re on a budget, then a two piece toilet may seem more affordable. So the decision on which is beat is entirely up to you.​

Efficiency

If you’re concerned about the environment like me, then opt for a toilet that is highly efficient in consuming water. A standard toilet consumes up to 1.6 gallons of water per flush. However, there are more efficient toilets that consume only about 1.2 gallons per flush. There are also toilets with dual flush systems that consume only 1 gallon to flush down liquid waste.

These models come with the WaterSense label and it further confirms their efficiency. So make sure your toilet has one.​

Rebates

Buying an efficient toilet has many benefits. While it’ll reduce the amount you pay as your water bill, it’ll even earn you up to $100 or more as rebates. So check whether your local environmental conservation authority provides this facility and be quick to claim on it by purchasing a efficient toilet.

Flush Type

Though the flush types are basically categorized into single and dual flush, different brands have their own patented design. If I was shopping for a toilet, I would be biased towards a dual flush toilet. They contribute immensely to save water because you’ll be using only a light flush for urine, which we do more often than releasing our bowels.

Flushing Noise​

You need to check this out, specially if you’re buying the toilet to your ensuite bathroom.

Certain toilets are highly efficient, and the force of the water is enough to flush everything down. However, this force could give rise to a loud noise that might act as an alarm to wake the household in the middle of the night. So careful attention should be paid before you buy.

Bowl Shape

Bowl shape is a deciding factor of the overall shape and the level of comfort a toilet offers. I believe that it’s a decision entirely up to you. But generally, an elongated bowl is considered as the most comfortable for adults because you get a lot of space to place your thighs.

However, if your bathroom space is limited, then you don’t have much of a choice than a round shaped bowl toilet. Though it helps the toilet to end up compact and small, it doesn’t, by any means, disturb your level of comfort.

After all, a toilet is a place that you’ll be spending only a few seconds at a time. So it would be wise to choose a toilet based on the space it occupies than the bowl shape. If the bathroom is too small, buying a toilet with an elongated bowl for comfort would not be as convenient as settling for a compact design. You get the idea.

Height

​Height is the biggest problem most of us face when buying a toilet online. Some are too high that they make you feel as if you’re on stage to perform a peeing action while some are too low that your knees tend to hurt. To avoid this problem, ensure the toilet is certified by ADA. That way, you’ll make a happy buy.

Size

​No matter how efficient and aesthetic a toilet may seem, if it isn’t the right size for your bathroom, then it’d fail to make a right buy. So make sure you get the measurements right, specially if your bathroom is small. As a result, you’ll not end up buying an oversized or a downsized toilet.

Cleaning

I know that this part is not very enthusiastic and none of you is looking forward to do it daily. That’s why manufacturers have gone to great lengths to help you with it. Some even have patented smooth and glossy surfaces such as the SanaGloss to minimize dirtying and help cleaning easier.

Appearance

Beauty is skin deep - yes, but not so much when it comes to picking a toilet that fits into your bathroom.

Older models aren’t as classy and might not be the perfect choice for your modern bathroom. Whereas there are certain newer models that are not only boastful when it comes to features, but also to the way they look.

They even have variety of colours to choose from. So shopping for a pink one for your teenage daughter and a blue one for your teenage son will be easy.

Your Budget

What I’ve noticed through experience is that most buyers let the budget solely decide their entire purchase decision. This isn’t wise, not in the least. It’s true that this is the most important of all, but it shouldn’t be the reason behind your ultimate decision. Try to either opt for the best choices in my list that’s well within your budget, or for another toilet for which you’ll need some scrimping and saving. Either way, don’t settle for anything but the best.​

While it’s entirely possible to have more points in your personal list, these are the major points that anyone should be looking for. Once you’ve discovered what will suit you the most, begin your search.

Wrapping it up...

While the main goal of my review is to guide you, I won’t influence your final choice. But, mind you, these are the best toilets on the market right now.

And I’m pretty sure that you might be already having a few favourites from this list. I have the same problem ; choosing the bestest among the best isn’t easy.

However, I can give you some advice - browse through my blog. It’ll help you untangle your tangled thoughts and make your mind clearer.

This way, you can finally settle for the ultimate buy.

I wish you all the best 🙂

- Mark *your true toilet specialist*​

​

Hey, I’m Mark
I’m a toilet specialist with several years of experience in the sanitation industry. Read more…

SanitationHQ.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.